Inflation Costa Rica 2012
Average inflation: 4.5%
Inflation in 2012
Inflation is high at 4.5%, well above the ECB target.
Peak and Trough
The highest inflation was in November at 5.2%. The lowest inflation was in July at 3.9%.
- Highest month
- November: 5.2%
- Lowest month
- July: 3.9%
- Difference
- 1.3 percentage points
- Months with data
- 12 of 12
Category Insights
The highest price increase was in Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics with an average of 19.7%. The lowest price increase was in Communication with an average of -0.6%.
- Highest increase
- Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics: 19.7%
- Lowest increase
- Communication: -0.6%
Historical Context
Inflation is 2.8 percentage points lower than the 5-year average of 7.3%. This approaches the lowest level since records began (4.5% in 2012).
- 5-year average
- 7.3%
- 10-year average
- 9.3%
- All-time high (1995)
- 23.2%
- All-time low (2012)
- 4.5%
Trend
Over the period 2010-2012, inflation shows a downward trend. Compared to 2011, inflation has fallen by 0.4 percentage points.
- Change vs. previous year
- -0.4 percentage points
- Largest monthly swing
- July: -1.3 percentage points
ECB Target
Inflation is 2.5 percentage points above the ECB target of 2.0%. This means purchasing power is declining faster than intended.
Purchasing Power
At this inflation rate, purchasing power noticeably decreases. Without a salary increase, you can buy less with the same money.
What you could buy for CRC 100 this year will cost approximately CRC 104.50 next year at this inflation rate.
Multi-year trend
Monthly figures 2012
Inflation by category
Inflation differs per product group. Click on a category for the historical trend.
Month overview
| Month | Inflation | Difference vs. 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 4.2% | -0.6 |
| February | 4.1% | -0.5 |
| March | 4.2% | -0.4 |
| April | 4.7% | 0.0 |
| May | 5.0% | +0.2 |
| June | 4.6% | -0.6 |
| July | 3.9% | -1.3 |
| August | 4.2% | -1.1 |
| September | 4.5% | -0.7 |
| October | 4.7% | -0.2 |
| November | 5.2% | +0.6 |
| December | 4.6% | -0.1 |
| Average | 4.5% |
Data source
Data from OECD. Last updated: 13/01/2026.